Maritime Security

Indian Navy to gain a dozen Dorniers

The Indian Navy (IN) will receive 12 additional Dornier Do 228 aircraft for maritime patrol according to formal approval given by the Cabinet Committee on Security on 23 November.

The deal was originally granted acceptance of necessity in October 2014, but it has taken until now for the INR25 billion ($364 million) contract to gain approval from the committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will manufacture the dozen aircraft at its Kanpur facility. HAL has licence-produced more than 120 Do 228 aircraft since 1984.

As well as loyal customer in India, RUAG Aviation has other Asia-Pacific military customers, with two aircraft delivered to the Bangladesh Navy in 2013 and seven aircraft operated by the Royal Thai Navy.